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Thailand launches 10-year military modernisation programme

Thailand’s government has launched a 10-year military development programme through which it intends to address some of its major challenges, including ongoing insurgency in the south.

The ‘Modernisation Plan: Vision 2026’, which was announced by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 27 February, contains three objectives: to improve the preparation of the Thai military, to enhance capabilities, and to modernise related structures.

The modernisation plan does not provide a specific list of required military assets or capabilities but does provide an outline for Thailand to increase defence spending from the existing 1.4% of GDP to 2% of GDP by the end of the decade, officials confirmed to Jane’s.